Vibrating brakes?

[xanis]

The car in question here is a '00 Chevy Cavalier 2dr with a 2.2L I4 and a 3-speed. Mileage is roughly 82K.

I noticed the problem somewhat recently... I would say about a month ago. Whenever I'm traveling 25mph+ and I gently press the brakes to bring the car to a gentle stop, I can feel them vibrating. It's not terrible by any means, but I can feel it and it drives me nuts. There has been no noticeable change in stopping distance or pedal travel. The brakes work just as well as they always have, they just vibrate now.

I've heard that the fix could be something as simple as getting my rotors sanded, but I really have no idea. I'm not exactly a car repair guru. I'm taking it to get looked at next week some time, but I was just wondering in the mean time if anyone had any thoughts.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Warped rotors, get them machined and you're good to go. Good time to replace the pads if they are anywhere close to worn out.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Warped rotors, get them machined and you're good to go. Good time to replace the pads if they are anywhere close to worn out.

Pads were replaced at the last inspection (February) so they're fine. Any idea on how much it would cost get all 4 rotors machined?

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Warped rotors, get them machined and you're good to go. Good time to replace the pads if they are anywhere close to worn out.

this

 

[Vette73]

To be honest I woudl not machine the rotors. they are cheap to buy and most are so thin now that turning them onyl makes them warp faster.


Go to rockauto.com and see what a set cost.

 

[BW86]

buy new rotors

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Warped rotors, get them machined and you're good to go. Good time to replace the pads if they are anywhere close to worn out.

Pads were replaced at the last inspection (February) so they're fine. Any idea on how much it would cost get all 4 rotors machined?

they probably already machined them with the last brake pad change. Typically, it will cost $30 per rotor. Pepboys does it for $15, but all other places like autozone no longer do it. get new rotors.

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
To be honest I woudl not machine the rotors. they are cheap to buy and most are so thin now that turning them onyl makes them warp faster.


Go to rockauto.com and see what a set cost.

+1. I machined my rotors a number of years back, and they didn't last all that long until they needed work again. Spend the extra couple bucks (it's not very much more) and get new rotors.

Edit: I would advise replacing the rotors for many people at the same time the pads need replacing, unless the rotors are relatively new. Usually on a factory vehicle, upon reaching 50k miles, new pads and rotors are the way to go...

 

[KIAman]

This is either rotor warpage or deposits on pad from bad break in or bad quality pads.

If warpage, get new rotors.

If pad deposits, go to a safe road and do 3-5 hard stops from 60mph to 5mph (don't stop completely and don't let your wheels lock up) and let your brakes cool down for 5 minutes just driving at normal pace, then do it again.

 

[alpineranger]

Originally posted by: KIAman
This is either rotor warpage or deposits on pad from bad break in or bad quality pads.

If warpage, get new rotors.

If pad deposits, go to a safe road and do 3-5 hard stops from 60mph to 5mph (don't stop completely and don't let your wheels lock up) and let your brakes cool down for 5 minutes just driving at normal pace, then do it again.

This. It is crucial that you make sure that when the brakes are hot, the brakes are applied only when the wheels are still moving. Coming to a stop with the brakes applied or applying them when stopped with hot brakes will undo all the work. Ideally, after doing this for enough cycles to make the problem go away, drive around for 5-10 minutes with minimal braking to allow the brakes to cool before stopping.

 

[thomsbrain]

I recommend new rotors rather than machining them, having done it both ways on various cars. Shops always want to machine them because that gives them a billable job to do besides taking the rotors off and putting them on again, and they know you'll be back in six months when your newly-thin rotors warp even faster next time. It isn't exactly shady since it is usually cheaper for the car owner to machine them, but it's a penny-wise, pound-foolish choice to rotate.